Language/Croatian/Vocabulary/Phrasal-Verbs-and-Collocations
Phrasal verbs and collocations are essential parts of any language, and Croatian is no exception. In this lesson, you will learn how to use common Croatian phrasal verbs and collocations, including idiomatic expressions and fixed phrases. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand and use these phrases with confidence and ease.
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are idiomatic expressions that consist of a verb and one or more particles. The meaning of these expressions cannot be determined by the individual meanings of the words that make them up, and often have figurative or metaphorical meanings that are not immediately obvious.
Here are some common Croatian phrasal verbs:
| Croatian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| biti uz | /bî.ti ǔz/ | to support, to be with |
| ići na živce | /î.ʨi na ʒǐ.vʦe/ | to get on someone's nerves |
| izbrusiti nečiji ugao | /î.zbru.sǐ.ti ně.ʧǐ.ji û.gao/ | to provoke someone |
| lupiti očima | /lû.pi.ti ɔ̌.ʧǐ.ma/ | to roll one's eyes |
| odlepršati | /ɔ.dlě.pr̩.ʃa.ti/ | to leave, to run off |
| odmoriti mozak | /ɔ.dmo.rî.ti mo.zǎk/ | to relax, to take a break |
| prebirati riječi | /prě.bi.ra.ti rǐě.ʧi/ | to choose one's words carefully |
| sjesti za volan | /sjěs.ti za vô.lan/ | to get behind the wheel, to drive |
Collocations
Collocations are also idiomatic expressions composed of two or more words that typically go together in a language. Collocations often have a more literal meaning than phrasal verbs, and their meanings can usually be inferred from the meanings of their individual words.
Here are some common Croatian collocations:
- ći na kavu - to go for coffee
- držati riječ - to keep one's word
- pustiti mašti na volju - to let one's imagination run wild
- završiti u nevolji - to end up in trouble
- biti u krivu - to be wrong
- hvatati zadnji vlak - to cut it close
- proći kroz vodu i vatru - to go through thick and thin
- čuvati ravnotežu - to keep a balance
Tips for Learning Phrasal Verbs and Collocations
Phrasal verbs and collocations can be challenging to learn, especially for non-native speakers. Here are some tips to help you master them:
1. Practice, practice, practice! The more you use the phrases in context, the easier they will be to remember and use. 2. Learn phrases in groups. Often, words that form phrasal verbs and collocations have related meanings, so learning them in groups can make it easier to remember them. 3. Pay attention to context. The context in which a phrasal verb or a collocation is used can give you clues about its meaning and usage. 4. Use dictionaries and online resources to help you learn and understand new expressions. 5. Watch movies, TV shows, and online videos in Croatian to hear the phrases used in context and get a better feel for their usage.
Remember, learning phrasal verbs and collocations takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't remember them all at once, and keep practicing regularly.
Sources
Related Lessons